SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 1, 2012
Georgia 45, Buffalo 23: Freshman Todd Gurley scored three touchdowns, including a 100-yard kickoff return, and the sixth-ranked Bulldogs shook off the Bulls in the second half.
Georgia (1-0) gave up 10 points in the final 2:12 of the first half to see its lead cut to 24-16 at halftime. But quarterback Aaron Murray capped the opening drive of the second half with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Rantavious Wooten to put the Bulldogs ahead 31-16.
Gurley scored on a 10-yard run with 10:26 left in the first quarter. Buffalo (0-1) answered five minutes later on Alex Zordichกฏs 16-yard touchdown pass to Alex Neutz, but Patrick Clarke missed the extra point. Gurley returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards down the left sideline to make it 14-6 Georgia.
Gurley rushed for 100 yards on eight carries, adding a 55-yard touchdown with 8:13 remaining.
Murray completed 15-of-26 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns. He found Tavarres King for a 63-yard touchdown early in the second quarter as the Bulldogs built a 24-6 advantage.
Buffalo made it interesting in the final minutes of the first half. Branden Oliver capped a 94-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Clarke converted the extra point with 2:12 left to bring the Bulls within 24-13. Clarkeกฏs 18-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in the half made it 24-16.
Oliver finished with 112 yards on 31 carries and Zordich added 83 yards rushing.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Georgia RB Ken Malcome injured his left hand in the second half and did not return. กญ Buffalo outgained Georgia 151-84 in the second quarter. กญ The Bulldogs finished with 485 yards of total offense. กญ Keith Marshall, another Georgia freshman RB, gained 46 yards on 10 carries. ... Buffalo finished with 199 yards rushing.